Former Ibrox boss Russell Martin has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Wilfried Nancy in Major League Soccer, according to reports from the United States…

Russell Martin during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

The 39-year-old, who left Ibrox earlier this season after a disastrous spell in charge, is said to be on the shortlist for the vacant managerial position at Columbus Crew, with The Athletic reporting he has progressed to the final stages of the recruitment process.

Nancy vacated the role in December after agreeing terms to take over at Celtic, ending a highly successful stint in Ohio.

During his time with Columbus, the Frenchman delivered silverware in the form of the MLS Cup and MLS Leagues Cup, earned MLS Coach of the Year honours in 2024, and guided the club to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy celebrates with his team following an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

Should Martin be appointed, it would represent a remarkable chain of events, linking the former Ibrox manager and current Celtic boss through the same MLS post.

It was only in September, Martin was still in theRangers dugout, overseeing a scoreless draw against Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic in the first Glasgow Derby of the season at Ibrox.

With the 2026 MLS campaign scheduled to get underway over the weekend of February 21–22, the timeline would allow Martin a full pre-season to settle in, should he secure the role.

Any move would offer the former Scotland international an opportunity for a fresh start, following a challenging chapter of his managerial career in Glasgow.

theRangers manager Russell Martin. St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Martin has been linked with various English Championship jobs since departing theRangers, but was not chosen for the vacant Southampton, Norwich City or Swansea City roles that came up most recently.

Martin, like Nancy, is a philosopher when it comes to football, so it might be that Columbus Crew see him as a successor to Nancy who will be a hard act to follow after his success in the States.

Conor Spence

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